Search

When I came back from a meeting of the Pasadena Housing Department this morning and told my husband how sequestration would affect low-income folk, he became so concerned he wrote this article which we are sending to the local newspapers and which he had posted on his blog (laquaker.blogspot.com). I hope this article will inspire you and others to take some action.

Sequestration–the budget slashing measure that took place because Congress was unwilling to deal intelligently with our fiscal crisis–is having a huge impact on homelessness here in Pasadena and throughout the USA.

Myrtle Dunson, Housing Manager for the city of Pasadena, reported that sequestration requires that the number of Section 8 housing vouchers in the city be cut from 1,406 to around 50-75 as of April 1. Yes, that’s a cut of over 95%!!

These vouchers are what enable low-income people to afford housing. Many of those receiving Section 8 assistance could end up homeless.

Nan Roman, President of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, puts Pasadena’s housing crisis into a national perspective:

“It is estimated that over 125,000 families and individuals – more than half of whom are elderly and disabled – may lose their housing through the cuts to the housing assistance programs. Some 100,000 people will be affected by the cuts to homeless assistance. While some programs that aid poor people are exempt from sequestration, these efforts to meet the basic needs of the poorest people are not.”

Housing is a basic human need. Depriving low-income folks of housing will have dire consequences.

According to the most recent homeless count, Pasadena has 772 homeless persons, a 15% decrease thanks in part to Housing Works, an organization that houses the chronically and at-risk homeless, thereby saving the city money (since this population tends to need services such as hospitalization, etc.). This highly successful program will suffer cuts up to 5.9% due to sequestration. (See http://www.housingworks.org/advocate/detail/a-scary-bedtime-story-the-sequestration-explained/0

According to the most recent homeless count, 560 Pasadenans are homeless and unsheltered, including 39 homeless veterans and 33 families with a total of 59 children.

Non-profits and churches are working tirelessly to address this crisis. Friends Indeed (formerly known as ECPAC), Union Station, and other groups work together to provide services for Pasadena’s homeless population. Family Promise, a national organization with a new branch focusing on the San Gabriel Valley, involves congregations in providing services that help homeless families find jobs and housing. Three Pasadena churches–Friendship Baptist, Hollinston Community Church, and Onevoice Free Methodist Church–are part of this highly effective program.

According to the US Council of Mayors, “lack of affordable housing” is one of the primary causes of homelessness. That’s why we need to make a serious commitment to create more affordable housing by supporting the California Homes and Jobs Act of 2013 (SB 391). This act will:

Help businesses attract and retain the talent that fuels California’s economy.

Generate an estimated $500 million in state investment and leverage an additional $2.78 billion in federal, local, and private investment.

Deploy these dollars throughout California using a successful private/public partnership model, creating jobs and generating revenue for local governments.

Build safe and affordable apartments and single-family homes for Californians in need, including families, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness.

As people of faith, we have a special responsibility to make sure that our neighbors don’t end up living on the street, even if it means making sacrifices, such as somewhat higher taxes.

According to the Book of Acts, Christians cared more about the poor than about home ownership:

“There were no needy persons among [early Christians]. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and distributed it among the needy.” (Act 4:34).

If the wealthy and privileged of America paid their fair share of taxes (at least as much as middle class people do), and if the middle class chipped in, we could end homelessness in America. Si, se puede!